Armitage\'s World Cup Chances Dwindling after Toulon Extension

Armitage has penned a new two-year deal with the Heineken Cup holders.

Delon Armitage has ruled out his chances of playing for England in the 2015 World Cup after signing a two-year contract extension with French side Toulon.

England Rugby have a policy in place which says that they will not select players based in France for fear they will not be available for training camps due to club commitments.

Speaking in October 2012, England head coach Stuart Lancaster reflected on Armitage's inital move to Toulon and on the RFU ruling which would prevent the 30-year-old from representing his country.

"What makes it difficult when a player plays in France is they are not available for our camps when we need them," Lancaster told BBC Radio Five Live.

"We have got a camp coming up at the end of this month and we have an agreement with the Premiership clubs to have access to the England players.

"It is not under the IRB release window so we can't get the lads who are in the French clubs.

"Toulon were in the French final the day we played South Africa in the first Test (in June) so it creates problems from that point of view," he added.

The structure of the French rugby season would also have been a stumbling block for Jonny Wilkinson had he been fit to represent the British and Irish Lions in last summer's series.

The World-Cup winning fly half was still in the frame for Warren Gatland's side before injury struck and his chances of a last-minute call-up were dashed following groin surgery.

Gatland too spotted the problem.

"If we take the France-based players, our preferred option is that they are on the plane with us," he said in an intervierw last year.

"The most difficult thing is we will be getting the squad together for almost the first time on the plane.

"But if you look at guys at Toulon for example, they could be playing in a final the same day as our first game in Hong Kong. So it is going to be difficult to integrate them and get them to be a part of the tour."

Armitage has been left out of the England squad since his move to Toulon in 2012 but his happy with his decision to remain in France.

"I'm happy to extend to a club where I feel good and with whom I hope to win more titles," he said.

The full-back was instrumental in Toulon's 16-15 victory over Clermont Auvergne in the Heineken Cup earlier this year with a second-half breakaway try.

Armitage will remain alongside his 28-year-old brother Steffon who also signed a new three-year extension last month.